In honor of Guilt-Free Parenting Week, here’s a deliciously creamy treat that won’t make you feel guilty for spooning it in with a shovel. I ate a vat of it while watching the Oscars last night — and no dessert hangover this morning Velvety smooth with a homemade caramel taste…you’ll never know it’s guilt-free!

Whisk 1/2 cup of the milk with the cornstarch, vanilla and salt until smooth. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar with 6 tablespoons of water and bring to a boil. Cook over moderately high heat, NO STIRRING, until a deep amber caramel forms, about 8 minutes. Be patient but watch the stove like a hawk as caramel changes color quickly, and only burns when you think you are safe leave the room for a second. Remove from the heat. Very gradually whisk in the remaining 3 1/2 cups of milk. As you begin whisking it in, the caramel will get very dark, and likely make you nervous that you’ve burnt it. Don’t panic…that darkness is FLAVOR!

Return the pot to the stove and whisk over moderate heat until the caramel has dissolved again. Once again, watch this closely as the milk will foam up quickly as it comes to a simmer. Simmer over moderately low heat until the mixture thickens slightly and deepens in color, about 10 minutes.

Gradually whisk the cornstarch mixture into the caramel. Cook again over moderate heat, stirring, until the pudding thickens, about one minute. If you want silky smooth pudding, pour the mixture through a strainer. (I skip this unless I’m serving for something special.) Scrape the pudding into eight 1/2-cup ramekins and refrigerate until chilled and set, about 2 hours. If you don’t like the “skin” that forms on pudding, press plastic wrap directly on top of the puddings as they chill.

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Oh no you didn’t just post that right after lunch! I will make this and will NOT feel guilty! Thx for another yummy recipe (though are you switching to Mondays now?)

Lindsay Weiss

Hi mommelissa, only switching for this week…we did a special schedule for Guilt Free week. Back to Fridays next week!

Momto2

Oh yum! Can I make this with any kind of milk? And yes, please tell us if your changing to Mondays with your sweets post…it’s usually the first thing I look for on Fridays.

Lindsay Weiss

Hi momto2, I made it with 2% milk and loved it. My girlfriend made it with 1% and loved it too. I haven’t tested with skim yet (but pipe up if you do!) And, of course, whole milk would be amazing — but, you know, slightly more guilt-inducing.

mommelissa

Thank you for answering! Ill try with skim and report back.

http://www.rhodeygirltests.com Sabrina

This looks delicious!

http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/mbalint/ Molly Balint

oh yum lindsay, this looks SO good.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003405391187 Beki

I love them all! But if I had to cshooe one I really think that my son would adore Petey the puppy or even Lars the Lion.

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